god’s secret agents

God’s Secret Agents

Jody Collinge, M.D.Global CHE Network

www.chenetwork.org

There is a secret in missions.

We know that children are vulnerable:

• Health problems• Malnutrition• Abuse• Child trafficking• Disabilities• Family problems• Social issues

Malnourished children in Niger

(Wikipedia 2014)

But children can also be God’s agents to reach their families, friends and neighbors for Christ.

Albanian children

Children are often overlooked.

How are children perceived in your area?

They are too young.

They are not influential.

They don’t make money.

No one listens to them.

Often they are not seen as important.

Why are children important?

Here are some statistics:Half of the world’s population is less than 18 years

old.

“The 4-14 Window”: Children between 4 and 14

years of age are one of the largest unreached people

groups.

During the next 20 years, nearly 5 billion children

will be born.

If all the children between 5 and 11 years of age held

hands, they would encircle the globe three times.

What are some advantages of working with children?

• Children are more accessible.• They are eager to learn.• They usually learn faster than adults!• They are open to changes.• Many come to faith in Christ.• They learn new skills.• Children can share what they learn with their

family, friends and neighbors• Through children, we can break down barriers

and build relationships with adults and families.

But how can God work with and through children?

Name some important children and youths of the Bible.

• Isaac and Joseph• Moses and Miriam• Samuel• Mephibosheth• Josiah• Naaman’s servant girl• Daniel and friends• Jesus• Timothy• Boy with the 5 loaves

and 2 fish• Jesus and children• Many others!One Stone Biblical Resources

One strategy: Community Health Evangelism Communit

y Awareness

and Mobilizatio

n

Training Team

COMMUNITY CHECHE

Homes Homes

Church

CHE

Focus

Growth Groups

Growth Groups

Growth Groups

Committee

“Community Health Evangelism (CHE) is a wholistic ministry strategy that seamlessly integrates evangelism, discipleship, and church planting with community health and development. Through CHE ministries, people become followers of Jesus, and whole communities are lifted out of cycles of poverty and disease.”

Principles of Community Health Evangelism

1. Community Ownership

2. Multiplication 2 Timothy 2:2

3. Development

4. IntegrationWholistic Ministry

5. Participatory Learning

But how does CHE apply to children?

What do the children learn?And how can they teach others?

Bible storyingEvangelismHealth skillsHealth storiesSocial issuesPractical skillsESLCommunity projectsWhatever is needed!

For more info, go to www.chenetwork.orgCHE DVD

Children’s CHE Strategy

Children’s CHE

Community Projects

Family, Friends,

Neighbors

Community

Children’s CHE

Ministry

How can Children’s CHE be used?1. As a ministry

for children2. Alongside CHE

with adults3. Entering a

new community

4. Within schoolsMinistry with children

Strategies

Kids’ Clubs or Children’s

CHE

Families

Community Projects

Neighbors

Parents’Groups

CHEs Committee

Entering the Community

Community

Families

Building relationships to enter a

new community

Strategies

Working alongside establishe

d CHE ministries

Children’s CHE

Community Projects

Neighbors

CHEs

Committee

Established CHE Ministry

Strategies

Health teaching

Social issues

Moral values

Bible teaching (if permitted)

The training spreads to their families and friends.

Children learning First Aid (treating choking) in a school in Nyeri, Kenya

Children’s CHE in Schools

What are some children’s programs which could use Children’s CHE?

Sunday school classes

Kids’ clubs

Sports ministries

Orphanages

Bible clubs

School programs

Within families

What other ideas do you have?

Where can you do Children’s CHE?

Anywhere there are children!

Give some examples.

Escuela Comunitaria de Salud

El Ocotal, Mexico City

Cleaning the community

Puppets

Examples:

The Congo Hand washing

Dish drying rack

Oaxaca, Mexico

Children’s CHEZihuatanejo, Mexico

La Presa

Learning EnglishCPR for Don Filiberto

Children’s CHE

Diarrhea Song

Talita Cumi or Casa Hogar

Bible quiz: Where does Talita cumi come from?

He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum!” (which means, “Little girl, I say to you, get up.) (Mark 5:41 NIV1984)

Reaching out to their neighbors

Mapping their neighborhood Christmas

caroling

Face painting

Application Questions

When and where could you use Children’s CHE?

How might Children’s CHE be used to enhance the work of your team?

For more information,or to share ideas, contact:

Jody Collinge

Global CHE Network

cheglobal@gmail.com

www.chenetwork.org

Children’s CHE Network Facebook page

References

Global CHE Network. 2014. http://www.chenetwork.org/

Global CHE Network and MAI. 2013. CHE Overview.

One Stone Biblical Resources. Children in the Bible. http://www.onestone.com/children-in-the-bible.html

Wikipedia. 2014. Malnutrition. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malnutrition